By Chris Brown

$33 million commitment

Province increases funding to drive down CT scan, MRI waits

Mar 26, 2021 | 10:45 AM

The provincial government is investing $33 million to reduce wait times for people who need non-emergency CT scans and MRIs in public hospitals.

The one-time commitment will help Alberta Health Services perform up to 50,000 more CT (computerized tomography) scans and up to 45,000 more MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans in the province in 2021-22.

The money is part of the United Conservative government’s plan to ensure Albertans have CT scans and MRIs done within the time frames recommended by medical experts.

“Physicians have raised the alarm that long waits put patients at risk – and we couldn’t agree more. Reducing wait times for these medically necessary diagnostic tests is not negotiable,” says Health Minister Tyler Shandro in a news release.

The government says the work of AHS and its contracted radiologists’ has meant fewer people are waiting for CT and MRI scans now compared with March 2020, and that trend will continue over the next two years.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

4h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

So far, AHS and its contracted radiologists’ focused work on the action plan has meant fewer people are waiting for CT and MRI scans now compared with March 2020, a trend that will continue over the next two years.

Demand for CT scans in Alberta is increasing by five per cent annually, and for MRIs by 3.5 per cent annually.

Government says that as of December 44,341 Albertans were waiting for a CT scan, down from 60,181 Albertans waiting in March 2020.

At the same time, 59,614 Albertans were waiting for an MRI, down from 66,183 Albertans waiting in March 2020.